On May 24, 1990, a Cessna 310G (registration N161A) operated by Falk, Louis W. was involved in an aviation accident near Sedona, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the landing flare, resulting in a long landing and runway overrun, exacerbated by a reported tailwind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot landed significantly past the intended touchdown zone on runway 03, resulting in an overrun of the runway end. Witnesses reported a substantial tailwind during the approach.
What happened
The aircraft touched down on runway 03 at a location considerably farther down the pavement than anticipated by the pilot. While the pilot believed the touchdown occurred near the middle of the field, independent witnesses observed the aircraft making contact approximately 4,000 feet down the 5,131-foot-long runway. This excessive landing distance resulted in the aircraft overrunning the end of the runway.
The investigation
Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event relied heavily on witness accounts due to the lack of detailed mechanical data. Witnesses confirmed that the aircraft landed with an estimated tailwind component ranging from 15 to 25 knots. This significant wind condition likely contributed to the high groundspeed at touchdown and the subsequent inability to stop within the available runway length.
Findings
The primary factors identified were the long landing distance and the presence of a substantial tailwind. The discrepancy between the pilot's perception of the touchdown point and the actual location observed by witnesses highlights a potential issue with spatial awareness or approach speed management during the final phase of flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the landing flare, resulting in a long landing and runway overrun, exacerbated by a reported tailwind.